As Tory defectors to the new Independent Group claimed there were a 'significant' number of MPs in other parties on the
TWENTY more Tory and Labour MPs ‘are ready to jump ship and join new Independent Group’
As Tory defectors to the new Independent Group claimed there were a ‘significant’ number of MPs from all parties on the brink of quitting, Westminster was abuzz this evening discussing who could be next to jump ship.
Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen quit the Tory Party today in an explosive new development for the group that was launched on Monday by a ‘gang of seven’ ex-Labour MPs.
Seemingly casting the net across all parties in the Commons, the self-styled Tory ‘Three Amigos’ claimed there were a significant number of MPs close to joining the breakaway group, provoking a fury of debate in the Commons of who could be next, with Labour’s Owen Smith and Tory Justine Greening among those touted.
Conservative MP for Aberconwy, Guto Bebb, quit as a defence minister blaming Theresa May’s concessions to Brexiteers and has called for a second referendum. He refused to respond when asked if a move was on the cards.
Brecknell MP Phillip Lee quit as a justice minister over Brexit and said he could ‘understand’ if colleagues joined the Independent Group.
He is the only member of the second referendum delegation that met Gavin Barwell and David Lidington last month who has not joined the Independents. He said yesterday: ‘I’m certainly not leaving the Conservative party but I could understand if others did.’
Nick Boles, MP for Grantham and Stamford, admitted he agrees with
Sarah Wollaston, Anna Soubry and Heidi Allen held for a press conference (pictured from left) to explain their historic defection out of the Tories and into the new Independent Group today
The ex-Tory rebels emerged into a vast press pack after resigning from the Tory Party in protest at it being taken over by the right-wing Brexiteers in the ERG